Narooma Chamber of Commerce’s Business Buzz last Tuesday at Betta Home Living’s new premises in the Industrial Area was a great success.
Chamber Vice President Adrian Fisse said the committee was delighted with the response, attracting more than 25 local business people including several new owners or managers of existing businesses and several tourism and business staff from Council.
Proprietors of Narooma’s Betta Home Living Julian and Liz Barrington-Smith talked about the business opportunity they recognised when they moved to Narooma, their belief in Narooma’s regional potential, and how their vision is becoming a reality.
‘We’ve increased our staff from two to 10, we’re still increasing our range of products, and we have greatly increased our turnover,’ Julian said.
‘At 11am this morning, we achieved our total turnover for 2017, and it’s only March.
‘The local community has been amazing, friendly and supportive. ’
Liz Barrington-Smith said their challenge is to be price competitive and continue to offer really good customer service.
Mr Fisse said it ‘was really inspirational hearing about Julian and Liz’s journey’. He added that the new Business Buzz format for general Chamber meetings ‘seems to be a winner’ and proving to be a great networking event for all business people.
‘We’ll hold them every three months, each time at a different venue accompanied by a sausage sizzle and a drink,’ he said. The committee is still to decide on the venue for the next one in June.
During the Buzz, Frank Eden gave ‘a speed briefing’ about his Clarke Bay Cottages on Wagonga Inlet, after having had his business card pulled out of the hat, a regular feature of the Business Buzz.
The gathering was also briefed on the Chamber’s preparations for Narooma Oyster Festival on Saturday 5 May. Details next week.
Above: At the Business Buzz’ BBG HQ of last week’s Chamber of Commerce’ Business Buzz were Paul Coker of the Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre, left, Chamber stalwarts Sarah Fisse and Steve Hutcheson, Liz Barrington-Smith of Betta Home Living, and Chamber Vice President Adrian Fisse.
Above: Narooma’s Betta Home Living Julian and Liz Barrington-Smith explain their business vision to members of Narooma Chamber of Commerce and others at the Chamber’s first Business Buzz for 2018
Above: Enjoying the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Buzz last Tuesday were Paul Coker of the Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre, left, Mathew Sweeney of O’Brien’s Hotel, Julian Barrington- Smith of Betta Home Living and Matt Deveson of The Whale.
Above: Also enjoying the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Buzz last Tuesday were Iris Domeier of Clarke Bay Cottages, Chamber secretary Von Hutcheson, Jane Goodridge of LJ Hooker Dalmeny, Lyn Field of Narooma Easts Holiday Park and Mark Chambers of Surfbeach Holiday Park.
